{"id":5543,"date":"2010-06-01T07:12:00","date_gmt":"2010-06-01T07:12:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lbpost.com\/articles\/life\/pets\/pets-voting-pedro-nava-for-attorney-general\/"},"modified":"2010-06-01T07:12:00","modified_gmt":"2010-06-01T07:12:00","slug":"pets-voting-pedro-nava-for-attorney-general","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/hi-lo\/pets\/pets-voting-pedro-nava-for-attorney-general","title":{"rendered":"Pets Voting Pedro Nava For Attorney General"},"content":{"rendered":"

The lbpost.com does not make political endorsements.  However, as elections for officials and measures draw nearer, our commentary writers are free to endorse or support political candidates if they wish. Individual endorsements do not express the opinion of the other writers or the staff of the lbpost.com.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"9:00am |<\/strong> No matter what kind of column you write and how much you try to avoid it, politics makes its way in. We\u2019ve endorsed a number of issues: Proposition 2<\/a> (Treatment of Farm Animals), Prop 250<\/a> (Pet Responsibility Act), the president trying to choose a dog<\/a> (and were we<\/em> disappointed). But we\u2019ve never felt comfortable endorsing a candidate, or wanted to, until now.<\/p>\n

Assemblyman Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbara) is running with five other qualified candidates for the office of State attorney general. Nava, a San Bernardino-Fontana native, has a long history of legislative and community action and an impressive resume. After graduating San Bernardino High School and San Bernardino City College, Nava received his graduate degree from California State University, San Bernardino, and his law degree from the University of California, Davis. His areas of experience include four and a half years as Fresno County deputy district attorney with narcotics prosecution, focusing, in his own words, on the worst of drug dealers and investigation. In the Santa Barbara DA\u2019s office, starting in 1985, he worked at protecting consumers in the consumer business law section. During his civil practice from 1987 through 2004, he represented nurses and health care cases.<\/p>\n

\u201cI mention this because the attorney general\u2019s office focuses on two primary areas: law enforcement, criminal and otherwise, and consumer and criminal protection,\u201d Nava said.<\/p>\n

Assemblyman Nava was in Long Beach on May 25, joining the parents of Amber Dubois, one of the young victims of sex offender John Albert Gardner III. Nava, father Moe Dubois and mother Carrie McGonigle were here to announce four bills that would strengthen existing child protection laws and close some loopholes to make it easier to keep track of sex offenders and missing children (click here<\/a> for a synopsis of the bills). Nava graciously and enthusiastically agreed to an interview with us during his time in town, and we discovered that there is a definite link between his championing human victims and those suffering from inhumane acts.<\/p>\n

\"\"OK, we\u2019re going to stop ourselves right here. Nava has brought forward a good number of levelheaded bills that address animal issues. We\u2019re the Pet Post, and we love animals and love Nava as a candidate. We\u2019re going to extensively address his animal issues. But we feel that readers are going to want to know what else he does other than animal welfare. In truth, he does and has done plenty.<\/p>\n

Pedro Nava\u2019s love of animals and concern for their welfare is mirrored in his tough and resolute determination to protect and serve the public. He has an impressive resume of legislative experience and public service. His platform includes public safety, California families, health, consumer protection, environment and civil rights. His support of children and crime victims, his No vote on Proposition 8 and the legislative resolution to calling on Congress to pass and the president to sign the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act are standout examples of his record and integrity. Nava has served as chair of the assembly committee in the areas of banking and finance and has authored legislation to protect homeowners in foreclosure. He spent 20 years fighting offshore drilling and presently leads the opposition in drilling three miles off the Santa Barbara coast. During his eight years on the coastal commission, Nava had the highest resource protection vote of any commission member. Arianna Huffington<\/a> thinks he\u2019s pretty swell, too.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have the deepest and broadest experience,\u201d Nava said. \u201cThere is no one else that has handled narcotics cases, civil litigation, anticruelty or the environment as I have. If you\u2019re thinking about a candidate who can relate to the broadest sector of the population, that would be me.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I have made a public commitment to not run for governor. This is important, because if you\u2019re governor, you have to raise $40 million, and a lot of it has to come from people you have to regulate: big oil companies, banks, financial institutions, insurance corporations, hospitals, real estate developments. In not running for governor, I don\u2019t have to worry about a statement that\u2019s going to be a problem in eight years. You can speak what\u2019s on your mind<\/p>\n

Anything you want to know about Nava\u2019s legislative history, you can find on his government page<\/a>. News, updates and views will be found on his campaign page<\/a>, and you can click here<\/a> to watch the attorney general candidate debates.<\/p>\n

\u201cBetter yet, just Google me on the news button,\u201d Nava said.<\/p>\n

OK, Pedro Nava\u2019s got legs, be they for two- , four- or any number of legged constituents. And we\u2019re a pet column. So, in the words of the late Paul Harvey, here\u2019s the rest of the story.<\/p>\n

\"\"
(Above) Pedro Nava, with Humane Society of the United States president Wayne Pacelle, supports the Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act in 2008.<\/em><\/p>\n

Pedro Nava\u2019s animal advocacy officially began in the DA\u2019s office in Fresno.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere was a particular case\u2014a couple who set a puppy on fire,\u201d Nava said. \u201cI was disturbed because the sentence they received\u2014I don\u2019t remember how long it was\u2014was inadequate, and punishment should\u2019ve been more severe. It made me think, what kind of a person would do this kind of thing? I found a connection, a fairly strong predictor, that an abuser of animals would abuse humans.\u201d<\/p>\n

This was the beginning of the notion of Nava as the \u201canimal-issues candidate.\u201d Nava has always had pets. He and his wife, environmentalist Susan Jordan, feel strongly about pet adoption. They have three shelter animals: a cat, Luna; a Doberman pinscher named Ashley whose ears and tail they have left uncropped; and a mini-pinscher\u2013Chihuahua mix, ironically named Arnold (\u201cthat\u2019s what the shelter named him, and we always keep the names\u201d).<\/p>\n

The first animal-welfare bill authored by Nava was directed not at protecting pets but the endangered California condors. The Ridley-Tree Condor Preservation Act (AB 821) was signed into law in July 2008 after three years of opposition from the NRA and coalitions of duck hunters. The act, named for a Santa Barbara area philanthropist, bans the use of lead ammunition in game hunting in the 10 million acres of condor country that encompass land from near San Jose to Los Angeles and inland to Bakersfield County. Lead bullets that condors would ingest while lunching on carcasses was determined to have caused deaths of the birds. After the last of the 22 remaining wild condors were released from protective custody into the wild in 1992, AB 821 was developed to support the continuing existence of the species.<\/p>\n

Nava said that the condor bill was his toughest battle. AB 241, the Responsible Breeder Act of 2009, was no walk in the dog park, either. The act targeted puppy mills and backyard breeders and would have made it a misdemeanor to house more than 50 intact dogs and cats on any property (and what responsible legitimate breeder would keep more than 50 adult animals in one area, anyway?). Although our city council unanimously voted to support the legislation, the bill was quashed by the opposition and the governor wound up vetoing it. Nava says that right now, the legislative calendar is full, but nothing prevents another legislator from resurrecting it in some form.<\/p>\n

\u201cMuch of the legislation never gave a thought to where these puppies come from,\u201d Nava said. \u201cNow, they may think about the neighbor\u2019s dog having puppies or the pet store, much the same as when I educated about spay\/neuter and how shelters overflow. This makes it easier to move forward next time.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Animal Abuse Prevention Act of 2009 (AB 243), nicknamed \u201cAbuse a Pet, Lose a Pet,\u201d was also, sadly, vetoed by the governor last year. Sponsored by the L.A. District Attorney\u2019s office, the bill would have prohibited a person convicted of specified animal-cruelty crimes, including hoarding and neglect, from owning, caring for or having any contact with animals for a minimum period. However, AB 242, the Dog Fighting Prevention Act, was signed into legislation at the same time that AB 243 was vetoed. The bill changes attendance at an organized dog fight from a low-level misdemeanor to a felony that carries up to a year in jail or a $5,000 penalty or a misdemeanor, depending on witness cooperation.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese bills are kind of like my kids,\u201d Nava said when asked which of the bills he\u2019s proudest of. His latest-born is AB 2743, the Declawing\/Devocalizing Measure. The law would prohibit landlords from making declawing of cats or cutting the vocal cords of dogs a condition for rental. The bill has passed the assembly and is ready for the appropriations committee and then the senate.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s an attempt to educate the public again,\u201d Nava said. \u201c[Declawing] sounds innocuous until you realize that it\u2019s like removing a digit at the first finger joint.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Apartment Association of Southern California, a fairly conservative organization [disclaimer: Kate\u2019s a member], supports the bill, saying that damage from a pet would be addressed through the renter\u2019s deposit. Barking dogs can be dealt with through house noise rules. Nava said that some veterinarians oppose the bill because of the preamble language that claims a change to the animal\u2019s behavior, but adds that if a bill can be tailored with no objections and the message intact, it will succeed.<\/p>\n

We hope that Pedro Nava\u2019s credentials will be enough to power a grassroots campaign that is based on authenticity rather than funding, and that he\u2019ll be our next attorney general. If he doesn\u2019t get elected, however, his plan is to \u201chug my wife\u201d and spend more quality time with her and their son, Jedd, who has just graduated Skidmore. He also plans to support his wife\u2019s campaign to be his replacement in the 35th District seat. But we feel that Nava\u2019s history of across-the-board support of animals, humans and the environment they live in, make him the best candidate for attorney general.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf your ambition is to be the people\u2019s lawyer, as mine is, you really have to articulate the things you\u2019re passionate about,\u201d Nava said.<\/p>\n

Animals, too. We are a pet column, you know.<\/p>\n

Visit Pedro Nava\u2019s Facebook page<\/a> or his campaign Web site (see above and click on it) to support this grassroots campaign.

Pet Projects<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hounds on the Hill, June 5<\/em><\/p>\n

The City of Signal Hill Community Services Department presents a \u201cPAWsitively educational afternoon for dogs and their human friends. Well-behaved dogs on leash are welcome to walk in the rescued dog parade, watch a fly-ball-catching demo and maybe get a new brother or sister from registered adoption services. Humans will learn about current pet laws and regulations and, most importantly, find a low-cost clinic for spay\/neuter. Contests, music, and arts and crafts will be enjoyed by all. 2175 Cherry Ave., Signal Hill 90755. Call (562) 989-7330 for information.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Meet the Critters, June 12<\/em><\/p>\n

The little guys deserve a fun time, too! The Long Beach PETCO at 6500 PCH at 2nd Street, 90803 is sponsoring a small-animal play date for all creatures small. The event takes place from 11 a.m. until noon, and will feature a special appearance by a guinea pig and its companion expert. You\u2019ll learn proper care and fun facts about guinea pigs, and, of course, you\u2019ll be able to hold one to finalize a decision as to whether this cute little chirpy pet and your household are a good match. Bring your own little buddy along (small animals only, please!). Call (562) 493-6083 for information.<\/p>\n

Virtually Pets<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"
Spencer<\/em><\/p>\n

While you\u2019re at PETCO, check out Spencer in his adoption cage. Spencer is a 6-pound neutered male rabbit, about 3 years old, who was rescued in May. He\u2019s a sweet little love bug, and loves cats and dogs. He\u2019s being adopted through Rabbit Rescue<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Columnists from the Pet Post feel that Nava\u2019s history of across-the-board support of animals, humans and the environment they live in, make him the best candidate for attorney general.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"newspack_sponsor_sponsorship_scope":"","newspack_sponsor_native_byline_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_native_category_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_style":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_placement":"inherit","inline_featured_image":false,"newspack_ads_suppress_ads":false,"newspack_popups_has_disabled_popups":"","_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":[],"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":false,"_VenueShowMapLink":false,"_":"","_author_alias":"","cap-aim":"","cap-description":"","cap-display_name":"","cap-first_name":"","cap-jabber":"","cap-last_name":"","cap-linked_account":"","cap-newspack_employer":"","cap-newspack_job_title":"","cap-newspack_phone_number":"","cap-newspack_role":"","cap-user_email":"","cap-user_login":"","cap-website":"","cap-yahooim":"","newspack_article_summary":"","newspack_email_html":"","newspack_email_type":"","newspack_featured_image_position":"","newspack_hide_page_title":"","newspack_hide_updated_date":false,"newspack_post_subtitle":"","newspack_show_share_buttons":"","newspack_sponsor_byline_prefix":"","newspack_sponsor_disclaimer_override":"","newspack_sponsor_flag_override":"","newspack_sponsor_only_direct":"","newspack_sponsor_url":"","newspack_article_summary_title":"Overview:","newspack_show_updated_date":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[],"newspack_spnsrs_tax":[],"coauthors":[],"class_list":["post-5543","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-pets","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5543","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5543"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5543\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5543"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5543"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5543"},{"taxonomy":"newspack_spnsrs_tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/newspack_spnsrs_tax?post=5543"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=5543"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}